Duggan fined for medication overage

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer David Duggan was fined $1,500 for the finding of the medication methylprednisolone, a corticosteroid known under the trade name Depo-Medrol used to treat inflammation as well as allergies, in the horse Yabuquiva, who won her maiden in the ninth race at Belmont Park on May 6.

The fine was reduced from $2,500 because Duggan waived his right of appeal.

Yabuquiva was disqualified from first and ordered unplaced. Her owner, MigJim Stable, had to forfeit the $19,200 in first-place purse money.

Methylprednisolone was one of the medications for which new thresholds were established starting Jan. 1. According to Steve Lewandowski, the state steward, Duggan was not suspended because the state has granted a grace period of sorts for these medications when there is an overage.